INCLUSION DEPARTMENT
MEET THE
Head Of Inclusion
Noha Shaban began her career in education 26 years ago as a regular education teacher with a great passion to teach children and develop their learning and life skills. She earned many awards and certificates of excellence and was soon promoted to take a higher role as the Head of the Elementary Stage. By 2004, she started to focus more on providing support and interventions that would allow students with learning difficulties have an equitable learning opportunity. Noha obtained her master’s degree in special and inclusive education from the Institute of Education, University College London (2011). Since then, she became a pioneer in facilitating inclusion for students with special educational needs in mainstream international schools in Egypt. She moved to Dubai 6 years ago and continued to lead the inclusive education in American Schools in Dubai and Sharjah.
Noha joined NAIS 2 years ago as the Head of Inclusion.
MEET OUR INCLUSION TEAM
Empowering Every Student to Achieve Their Potential
North American International School is an inclusive school. The NAIS vision of inclusion is to provide a caring and supportive learning environment which empowers students to achieve their potential, become life-long learners and responsible global citizens regardless of their abilities or background.
At NAIS all students engage purposefully in learning, feel valued for their contributions and experience social, emotional, and academic success in a multicultural community.
At NAIS we believe that “Inclusive education is not a project or an initiative. It is the progressive development of attitudes, behaviors, systems and beliefs that enable inclusive education to become a norm that underpins school culture and is reflected in the everyday life of the school community.”
(Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework, p.53)
We welcome children with a range of learning preferences, including students of determination (students with special education needs and disabilities), students who are gifted and talented and students who are English Language Learners. Our staff are committed to educating all students in a common learning environment with similar-aged peers. At NAIS, diversity is made visible as a strength, respectful relationships are continually enhanced, and all children fully participate in learning through adjustments and teaching strategies tailored to meet the diverse range of learners reflected in wider society.
Legislation
NAIS works in line with the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework (2017 & 2019) and incorporates good working practice in line with legislation such as the:
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol, Federal Law No. (29) of 2006 concerning the Rights of People of Determination.
Law No. (2) of 2014 concerning the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Emirate of Dubai.
Executive Council Resolution No. (2) of 2017 Regulating Private Schools in the Emirate of Dubai.
General Rules for the Provision of Special Education Programs and Services (Public & Private Schools).
Delivery of Learning
High quality recruitment of teachers and continuous professional development results in committed professionalism of a highly inclusive nature ant NAIS.
Teachers provide differentiated learning opportunities for all students and provide materials appropriate to children’s interests and abilities. This ensures that all students have full access to the school curriculum and barriers to learning are removed.
Parents involvement
Parents are considered vital to the progress of a student. We believe that continuous communication and partnership between school and parents is a major key in removing social and barriers; An open-door policy is in place and parents are encouraged to work collaboratively with the school community and the Inclusion Team.
Inclusion Team
NAIS is committed to ensuring that all students have access to high quality teaching and learning support to ensure that their individual needs are met.
NAIS has a whole school community approach led by an Inclusion Support Team which comprises the Principal, Vice Principal, Head of Inclusion, Inclusion Governor, Special Education Teacher, and a well-trained Learning Support Assistants. The Inclusion Team works alongside the wider community and external agencies.
Admission
All students regardless of their abilities or backgrounds are welcomed to join NAIS and enjoy the caring and inspiring learning environment. Admission is not conditional on the submission of a medical diagnosis, and we have effective transition processes in place for all children. Sharing educational history during admission process is essential so ensure an appropriate assessment of educational need, educational plan and resourcing is in place.
Students are not refused admission based only on their experience of a special education need or disability (SEND) and we give sibling priority for admission to students who experience SEND.
If you are the parent of a student with any additional needs, or who may be having barriers to learning please do contact the Head of Inclusion directly. Contact details are below.
Noha Shaaban
Head of Inclusion
Phone: +97142884844 Ext. 431
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